Monday, November 3, 2008

On Hold Due To Some Health Issues

I just wanted to write a short entry to let everyone know why I haven't been posting or reading journals lately. After posting my last entry, I felt very weak and became out of breath easily. The next morning I drove myself to my doctor's office instead of going to work. He took one look at me and called an ambulance. It seems I suffered a very mild heart attack.

I spent three days and nights in the hospital while they did every test they could on me. The dye procedure showed that all my arteries are clean as a whistle and that there was no damage or loss to the muscles in either the upper or lower chamber of my heart. What I have is an atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat.

I'm currently on some heavy duty blood thinner medication to reduce the threat of blood clots. In a couple of weeks, the doctor will put me under and shock me back into a regular heart rhythm. If the procedure works, I should start feeling normal almost right away. Until then, I still get winded extremely easily and can feel pain in the chest area. The blood thinner makes me feel different… I don't know how to express it except to say things have a surreal quality to them and I don't do well at reading for long periods.

I'll start up here again once I have the procedure and feel my old self again. In the mean time, I hope you are all doing well.

OMG! How scary for you and your family!! I hope they get you all fixed up. It's good news that there wasn't any damage... still, be careful until your doctor says otherwise. Although it was not the best thing, better to find out early that there is something going on.

Dear Sam, Gee...I will post something in my blgo about this.I hope that you will get better really soon...I am very sorry to hear about it!BTWare blood thinners really the best medicine for this?love,natalie

I've been taking those blood thinners since high school and I know exactly what you're talking about when you say surreal. You do get used to them but it may take a little while. It's more common than you think to have that condition and highly treatable, but just take it easy for awhile. Your body is speaking very loudly to you. Now you have to learn to listen. You're in my prayers.

Ah, Sam, how good it is to finally reconnect with you, but how sad to hear that you're feeling so poorly. Please take care of yourself and know as always, you are in my thoughts, and prayers. Hugs, and love too.

SAM, sorry to hear this. I didn't know i was contagious--this is exactly what happened to me before we left Texas.you will feel much better if the shocking works. take care and be sure you take all your meds as you are suppose to. barb

I'm so glad they caught it before it turned to something worse. Take care of you please. I hope the treatment works and things return to normal. I'm keeping you in my prayers on the smoke. (Hugs)Indigo

It was so wise of you to seek medical help quickly. When my husband had his heart attack, he didn't want me to call an ambulance, but I didn't listen to him and called anyway. The doctor said my fast action was probably what saved his life. Please take care of yourself.Frances

OMGosh, Sam! Just tonight I realized I didn't have some of my friends new blogs so popped on blogger to try to track a few down since AOL wasted no time (truly) taking everything offline. Was going to send you an email when I decided to do a blogsearch instead. What a shock to read your post! I am so sorry for all this but am so glad you had the rationale to get to the doctor when you did. Scary stuff! Glad you're doing better... TAKE CARE!

Oh Sam, I'm so sorry to hear this, I do hope they can get your heartbeat back to normal again. I've got the same thing, mine came on back in April so I know how you feel. Take care, take it easy and don't overdo it too soon. I know Paulette will take very good care of you. Andy sends his best wishes for your speedy recovery. Jeannette xx

Hi Sam,Something told me to check your blog..no idea why. Now I'm so very glad that I did. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Perhaps it could be a wake up call to live your life differently....if nothing else, with more gratitude. (not that you don't...but you know what I mean). Take it slow and be in touch as you can.

Hello Sam! I was so excited to see you as a follower as I remember you from my old AOL days! Get yourself well my friend! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers! Looking forward to catching up thru your new blog here on Blogger! Lisa/Cw2smom

I am sorry for your discomfort and scare. Heart disease and stroke run in my family so I am a candidate for death. But if I should die--it's a good feeling to know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and there is a place waiting for BELIEVERS in heaven who follow Christ. That is the prime feature of my own on-line Journal: heli-gunner tom

Sam I am so glad you went on to the doctor. Thanks for posting and letting us know what is going on with you. It is wonderful news to know that you don't have clogged arteries, but still scary about what happened. Take care of yourself and you just relax and get well. XOXO

Oh, my mom lived with atrial fibrillation for the last 30 years of her life. Sometimes, in spite of her being on Tnormin (however it's spelled), she'd have a spell and lie down on the couch until it quit. You could see her heartbeat acting up in the vein or artery in her neck. Scary stuff.

Oh Sam, hope you are healing well. That had to be just too scary for you. I have a mild case of COPD so I know how hard it can be when you can't get a breath in. Be well, stay well, we care about you..love, Sandi

I'm glad that you got to the doctor when you did. Heart problems are nothing to fool around with. I lost my husband in '92 due to a sudden fatal heart attack. He'd always been healthy and had just been for a physical the week before. I wanted to thank you for commenting in one of my journals. I've seen your comments in others too. Please stop back at mine anytime. There are two others besides the one you left a comment in. 'On Ya'-ma

Hi Sam-I'm a little late to the party (as usual). WoW, scary times, huh? Having a cardio-version? I've actually had a pacemaker for 11 yrs now. Befoer they put it in I was so short o breathe all the time and felt so weak. I hope the conversion works and you are feeling your like your old self (mabe even better. Maybe ask the Doc if you can try Aspirin. Of course that will depend on your PT/PTT levels, but once your body settles in you may bea ble to get off they blood thinners.

Hey Sam.Good to see you back on the blog.You say you feel kind of weird sometimes.Did they change you blood pressure meds ?Are did they put you on a new one?They had me taking one that made me dizzy and I didnt feel comfortable in my own skin at times.I have been praying for you every since I read about your heart attack.Ilost my dad june 20th of this year.Its a hard thing to deal with,Keep on keeping on.Stop by my blog when you feel up to it.tAKE CAREJOHN

Dear Sam, How my heart goes out to you. You have touched the heart of so many people, including mine. I hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. Know you are in my prayers always. God bless you.Barb (Pinion)my journal:http://barb-letschat.blogspot.com